What it is
This extract is derived from the roots of Morus alba, the white mulberry, and is rich in polyphenolic compounds traditionally associated with East Asian cosmetic formulations. In sunscreens and daily care products it is included for its skin-conditioning and antioxidant-supporting properties, often positioned in brightening or tone-evening systems. It typically appears at low concentrations as a secondary active alongside primary UV filters and humectants.
Safety & warnings
Botanical extracts can occasionally provoke sensitivity in individuals reactive to plant materials, but Morus alba root extract is generally well tolerated at the low levels used in cosmetics. As with any plant extract, patch testing is reasonable for very sensitive or allergy-prone users.
Origin & sourcing
Natural plant extract obtained from the roots and root bark of the white mulberry tree (Morus alba), usually prepared as a water, glycol, or hydroalcoholic extract.
History
White mulberry root bark has a long history of use in traditional East Asian medicine and skincare, and the extract was later adopted in modern Japanese and Korean cosmetics for tone-related claims.
Questions everyone asks
What does white mulberry root extract do in a sunscreen?
It is added mainly as a skin-conditioning and antioxidant-supporting botanical, often within brightening or tone-evening formulas, rather than as a UV filter.
Is it a sunscreen active?
No. It does not absorb UV in the way regulated UV filters do; it is a supporting botanical ingredient.